He was born June 18, 1913, in North Andover, Mass., the son of the late John E. and Catherine A. (Lally) Lavin.

Ray was raised in North Andover and graduated from Johnson High School.

He was a World War II Navy veteran, serving on the USS West Point for 4½ years, ending his service as chief petty officer.

Ray had a fulfilling career with Merrimac Paper Company in Lawrence, Mass., followed by great success until retirement in the U.S. trucking industry. He was past exalted ruler of the Andover Chapter of Elks and president of the Andover Catholic Men's Club in 1955. Mr. Lavin was a communicant of St. Augustine's Church, Andover, and St. Elizabeth Church, Seabrook Beach.

He was the husband of the late Marie E. (Crane) Lavin, who predeceased him in 1997.

Family members include three sons, Raymond J. Lavin Jr. and wife Ellen of Hampton, John E. Lavin II and Joyce Kelly of Chesterfield, Mo., and Jeffrey C. Lavin and wife Judith of Franconia,; four daughters, Ann M. Murphy of Andover, Mass., Barbara L. Curran of E. Falmouth, Mass., Sarah J. Finnigan and husband Walter of Epsom, and Julie A. Lewis and husband David of Hampton; his sister, Eileen Connolly of Salem; 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

At the time of his death, he was the oldest resident of Seabrook and the recipient of the Boston Post Cane.

SERVICES: Visiting hours will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday, March 10, 2014, at the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home-Crematory, 811 Lafayette Road, Hampton. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at St. Elizabeth Church, Route 1A, Seabrook Beach. Burial will follow in the High Street Cemetery, Hampton. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Please visit www.RemickGendron.com to view Ray's memorial Web site, sign the tribute wall or for directions.